Curb signalling device



June 2, 1956 D. FREES ETAL cums SIGNALLING DEVICE Filed April 12, 1954INVENTOR. 0n v10 F2 555 y E'owuv L. Sammerz United States Patent CURBSIGNALLING DEVICE David Frees, Sun Valley, and Edwin L. Schwartz, LosAngeles, Calif.

Application April 12, 1954, Serial No. 422,534

9 Claims. Cl. 11628) This invention relates to curb signalling devicesof the type employing an elongated flexible Wire feeler attached to theside of an automobile and adapted to scrape against a curb to signal thedriver of his proximity to the curb.

Conventional curb signalling devices generally comprise a flexiblefeeler element attached to the underedge or" an automobile fender orside by any suitable clamp means. It is important in the installation ofthese devices that the angle at which the feeler extends from the carand the elevation of its tip above the road have certain desired values.For example, if the feeler is too low, it will tend to scrape thehighway in an annoying manner when the car is going around curves. Onthe other hand, if the feeler is too high off the ground, it may notcontact the curb, but simply ride over the top.

The angle and disposition of the end of the feeler will depend on theinitial structural relationship between the feeler support or securingmeans and the feeler, the type of car to which the feeler is attached,and the point of attachment. In attaching conventional type devices,screws and bolts are often employed, Once the device has been thoroughlysecured to the car, the angle of the feeler is determined, and if it isfound this angle places the feeler tip too close to the highway orpavement, or if it is found that the tip is higher than contemplatedcurb heights, the device must be removed and repositioned. if nosuitable position can be found, it is necessary to bend the feeleritself with respect to its support means or clamp in an attempt torealize the desired angle. This latter procedure is not onlyinconvenient, but may Weaken considerably the clamp structure. Further,the tools and labor involved in removing the device or relocating it areinconvenient and time-consuming.

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a greatlyimproved type of curb signalling device comprising a combination feelerand clamp in which the angle of the feeler with respect to the clamp ismanually adjustable to a desired value and in which such adjustedposition is automatically maintained once the clamp is installed on thecar.

Another obiect is to provide a curb signalling device of the above typein which the angle of the feeler may be readjusted to a different valuemanually without having to disassemble any of the clamp structure, andin which the readjusted position is automatically locked when the clampis secured to the car.

Still another object is to provide a curb feeler clamp in which theangle of the feeler is locked simultaneously with the locking of theclamp to the vehicle, whereby only one manual motion is necessary forattaching the device.

Another object is to provide a curb feeler clamp which does not requirethe use of bolts or screws and thus eliminates the necessity for toolsin installing the clamp.

These and further objects and advantages of the invention are attainedby providing a combination feeler and clamp structure employing a seriesof members pivoted together in such manner that actuation of one of themembers operates an overcenter toggle arrangement for 2,749,875 PatentedJune 12, 1956 ice clamping the device to the car and simultaneouslylocking the feeler in an adjusted angular position with respect to theclamp.

The above-referred to arrangement for accomplishing this action will bereadily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a general perspective view of the side of a motor vehicleillustrating the curb signalling device of the present invention inoperative position;

Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the clamping portion of thedevice shown in Figure 1; a

Figure 3 is a cross-section of the device shown in Figure 2 in unclampedposition;

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3 showing the device in clampedposition;

Figure 5 illustrates in elevation 21 modified type of curb signallingdevice in unclamped position;

Figure 6 illustrates the device of Figure 5 in clamped position;

Figure 7 is a cross-section taken in the direction of the arrows 77 ofFigure 6; and

Figure 8 is an enlarged view of a portion of the locking means of thedevice shown in Figure 6.

Referring to Figure 1, the curb signalling device is shown as comprisingan elongated flexible feeler element 10 secured by a clamp 11 to theunderside 12 of a car 13. Preferably, the signalling device is placedrelatively close to one of the car wheels, such as the wheel 14, so thatthe proximity of the wheel to the curb will be indicated by the feeler.

Figure 2 illustrates in enlarged perspective view, the clamping portion11 of the device shown in Figure 1 as it appears in unclamped positionbefore attachment to the car. As shown, this clamp comprises a centralmember 15 having a front upwardly extending flange 16. The inner surfaceof this flange forms a clamping surface for engaging the lower outsideportion of the car. Pivoted to the rear portion of the central member 15is a clamping lever 17 having a clamping surface 18 adapted to cooperatewith the front flange 16 to form opposed clamping surfaces. The clampinglever 17 is angulated or bowed to permit it to fit around the lower edgeof the automobile side or fender whereby the side or fender 12 isdisposed between these opposed clamping surfaces.

Referring to both Figures 2 and 3, the feeler element 19 is securedwithin a feeler support member 19. Member 19 is in turn pivotallymounted to the front portion of the central member 15 by means of apivot pin 20. This arrangement permits the feeler and feeler support toassume different angular positions with respect to the central memberand associated opposed clamping surfaces, as indicated by the arrows inFigure 3.

The angulated clamping lever 17 is pivoted to the rear portion of thecentral member 15 at a point intermediate its ends by means of a pivotpin 21. An actuating means in the form of a handle member 22 is pivotedby a pivot pin 23 to the free end of the clamping lever below itspivotal connection to the central member. Handle member 22 is alsopivoted by a pivot pin 24 at a point spaced from the pivot pin 23 to oneend of a link member 25. The other end of the link 25 is pivoted to thecentral member 15 by pivot pin 26.

With the arrangement described thus far, it Will be seen that pivotingmovement of the handle 22 about the pivot pin 24 will actuate theclamping lever 17 to rotate it about the pivot pin 21 and thus move thefar end of the clamping surface 18 towards or away from the opposedclamping surface on the flange 16. This arrangement also effects alocking action, for retaining the feeler support 19 in a pre-set angularposition, simultaneously with the closing of the clamp. This lockingaction will now be described.

Referring to the pivotal connection of the feeler support 19 to thecentral member 15, it will be noted that the end of the feeler supportterminates in a yoke structure comprising yoke arms 27 and 28. Theseyoke arms are straddled by downwardly depending side flanges 29 and 30forming part of the central member 15, the pivot pin 20 passing throughaligned openings in these flanges and the yoke arms.

The extreme end of each yoke arm is rounded and provided with gear teeth31 as most clearly shown for the yoke arm 27 in Figure 3. The sideflanges 29 and 31 of the central member are provided with elongatedaligned slots 32. The pivot pin 26 for the link member 25 is positionedto ride in these slots in such a manner that when disposed at theleftward extreme end of the slots 32, the pin 26 will engage the teeth31 and lock the support member 19 against rotation about its pivot pin20. In the extreme rightward end of the slots, the pin 26 will be freeof the teeth and permit rotation of the support member. The pivot pin 26being connected to the link member 25, will be actuated by this linkmember.

The operation of the clamp and locking means will be evident from theabove description. In Figure 3, the clamp is shown in open, unlockedposition. In this condition, it will be noted that the pivot pin 26 isfree of engagement with the teeth 31. The support member 19 andassociated feeler element may thus be angularly adjusted to a desiredposition by swinging the support about the pivot pin 29. The opposedclamping surfaces on flange 16 and lever clamp 17 are disposed onopposite sides of the automobile fender or lower side edge 12 andmanually held in this position while the feeler is adjusted to thedesired angle with respect to the ground. After this adjustment, thehandle member 22 is swung in a clockwise direction about the pivot pin24, as indicated by the arrow. This action causes the clamping lever 17to swing in a counter-clockwise direction about the pivot pin 21 in viewof the pivotal coupling of this lever to the handle at 23. This latterswinging action serves to move the surface 18 of the clamping lever 17towards the op posed surface on flange 16.

Simultaneously, clockwise movement of the handle 22 will urge the linkmember 25 to the left as viewed in Figure 3 and thereby urge the pivotpin 26 along the slots 32 and into engagement with the teeth 31. Inclamped and locked position, the various members assume the positionshown in Figure 4.

It is to be noted that the relative positioning of the various pivotpins on the respective members results in an over-center toggle action.Referring specifically to Figure 4, it will be seen that the pivot pin24 is positioned past the center line between the pivot pin 26 and pivotpin 23 when the clamp is in closed, locked position. In this over centerposition, it will be appreciated that the clamping force on the clampinglever 1'7 from its engagement with the car side 12, tends to urge thehandle member 22 to the left. The force is transmitted to the linkmember 25 through the pivot pin 24 and thus urges the link member to theleft since this force is directed in a line over or past which the pivotpin 24 is positioned. The pivot pin 26 is thus urged into tightengagement with the teeth 31 on the ends of the yoke arms of the supportmember 19. Further, this over center arrangement results in any pressuretending to separate the opposed clamping surfaces being communicatedthrough the line 25 to increase further the locking engaging force ofthe pin 26 against the teeth 31.

To release the clamp and locking means, it is only necessary to prydownwardly on the handle member 22 to pivot the same about the pivot pin23 in a counter-clockwise direction. This initial downward movement willincrease the clamping pressure between the clamp lever 17 and the side12 of the car momentarily as the pivot pin 24 rides over the center linebetween pivot pin 26 and pivot pin 23. From then on, the link 25 will bedrawn back to retract the pivot pin .26 in slots 32 and free theyokearms 27 and 28. Simultaneously, the clamping lever 17 will swing in aclockwise direction about the pivot pin 21 to separate the clampingsurface 18 from the side 12 of the car and the device will then assumethe position shown in Figure 3. The angular adjustment of the tubularsupport 14 may then be adjusted to a difierent angle if desired, and thedevice clamped as before.

Figures 5 through 8 show a modified type of clamping means and feelersupport employing a slightly different construction for effecting thesame result. Referring to Figure 5, there is shown a central member 35having an upwardly turned front flange 36 providing a clamping surfacefor one side 12 of an automobile. A clamping lever 37, similar to thelever 17 of Figures 2 to 4 is pivoted intermediate its ends to the rearend of the central member 35 as at 33, to form with the inner surface offlange 36 opposed clamping surfaces.

In the embodiment of Figure 5, the remaining portion of the centralmembers 35 is of difierent construction from the central member 15 ofFigures 2 to 4. In the instant case, the central member includesdownwardly depending side flanges 39 and 41 having rounded peripheralends defining teeth 41 and 42 (Figure 7) extending in a generallyrearward direction. These flanges also include central elongated alignedslots 43 and 44, respectively, through which a pivot pin 45 passes. Afeeler support member 46 terminates in yoke arms 47 and 48 provided withaligned openings for receiving pivot pin 45 as shown in Figure 7. Withthis arrangement, it will be seen that the feeler support 46 may pivotas well as slide over a range limited by the slot length, with respectto the central member 35 and associated side flanges 39 and 40.Extending laterally and in opposite directions from each yoke arm aresmall projections P. As shown in Figure 7, these projections will engageteeth 41 and 42 when the feeler support pivot pin 45 is moved to theextreme leftward position in the slots 43 and 44. This engagement servesto lock the angular position of the feeler support with respect to thecentral clamp member 35 as will become clearer as the descriptionproceeds.

As shown best in Figure 5, one end of a handle member 49 is secured tothe pivot pin 45, the other end of the handle extending away from thecentral member 35. At a point intermediate the ends of the handle memberthere is pivoted a link member 50 by means of a pivot pin 51. The otherend of the link 50 is pivoted to the lower end of the clamping lever 37by a pivot pin 52.

As noted above, the device of Figure 5 is shown in unclamped, unlockedposition, while Figure 6 shows the device in clamped, locked position.In operation, the feeler support is angularly adjusted with respect tothe ground to a desired position. Rotation of the feeler support 46about pivot pin 45 may be effected, since in the open position of theclamp, the pivot pin 45 is at the extreme rightward position in the slot43 and thus the projections P on the yoke arms of the feeler support arefree of the teeth 41.

With the proper angle of the feeler set, the handle member 49 is pushedupwardly to rotate about the pivot pin 45 in a counter-clockwisedirection. This action urges the link member 50 upwardly and to theright causing the clamping lever 37 to pivot in a counter-clockwisedirection about the pivot pin 38, and close the opposed clampingsurfaces.

Simultaneously, the upper end portion of the handle 49 has a tendency tomove to the left due to reaction forces by the link member 50. Thisaction urges the pivot pin 45 to the left along the slots 43 and 44 andthus moves the yoke arms 47 and 48 in the same direction (Figure 8). Thelaterally extending projections P will thus engage the gear teeth 41 andlock the angular setting of the feeler support 46 with respect to thecentral member.

It is to be noted that when the device is in clamped locked position asshown in Figure 6, the pivot pin 51 is past the center line connectingpivot pins 45 and 52.

Therefore, the clamping pressure against the car side 12 is communicatedthrough the clamping lever 37, link 50, and the end portion of thehandle 49 secured to the pivot pin 45 to urge the yoke arm projections Pinto tight engagement with the gear teeth.

To release the clamp of Figure 5, the handle 49 is pried downwardly in aclockwise direction thereby rotating the link about pivot pin 52 to movedownwardly past the center line. Further movement of the handle willthen result in clockwise rotation of the clamping lever 37 about thepivot pin 38 to separate the clamping surfaces. Simultaneously, thepivot pin 45 and yoke arms secured thereto, will be free to move to theright and thus free the projections P from the teeth 41.

It is thus seen that in both embodiments of the invention, there isprovided a greatly improved curve signalling device. The clamp may beeasily attached to the side of a car without the use of special tools.Further, the clamping action simultaneously serves to lock the feelersupport and thus the feeler is maintained in any pro-set angularposition. To change the angle of the feeler, it is only necessary tounclamp the device and, Without completely removing it from the car,simply rotate the feeler support member to the desired inclination. Thedevice may then be clamped to the car. The clamping to the car and thelocking of the feeler support in its set angular position isaccomplished in each embodiment of the invention by a single, simplemanual movement of the handle member.

Various modifications falling Within the scope and spirit of theabove-described structure will occure to those skilled in the art. Theinvention is therefore not to be thought of as limited to the specificembodimentsdisclosed for illustrative purposes.

We claim:

1. In a curb signalling device, the combination of: clamp means; afeeler support member pivoted to said clamp means; locking meansconnected to said clamp means, adapted to engage and retain said feelersupport in a set pivoted position with respect to said clamp means; andmanually operable means connected to said clamp means and said lockingmeans for simultaneously actuating said locking means and said clampmeans.

2. In a curb signalling device, the combination of: a clamp; a feelersupport member pivotally secured to said clamp; and means connected tosaid clamp means and operated thereby to engage said feeler supportmember and retain said member in a set pivoted position when said clampis closed and to free said member for pivoting movement when said clampis open.

3. In a curb signalling device, the combination of: a clamping mechanismadapted to support a feeler element at different extending angles;actuating means for actuating said clamp to a closed position; and meansconnected to said actuating means and operated thereby for locking saidfeeler element at any one of said different extending angles.

4. In a curb signalling device, the combination of: a central member; afeeler support pivoted to said member; a clamping lever pivoted at agiven point intermediate its ends to said central member; means on saidcentral member and on one end portion of said clamping lever formingopposed clamping surfaces respectively; actuating means pivoted to theother end of said lever; and locking means pivoted to said actuatingmeans adapted to engage said feeler support, whereby upon actuation ofsaid actuating means, said clamping surfaces and locking means areoperated simultaneously.

5. A curb signalling device according to claim 4, in which saidactuating means comprises a handle, said locking means includes a linkpivoted at one end to said handle, and said central member includes slotmeans adjacent the pivot connection of said feeler support; and having apivot pin adapted to ride in said slot means, said pin being connectedto the other end of said link, a portion of said feeler support defininggear teeth adapted to be engaged by said pivot pin, said link being inan over-center position, disposed past a center line drawn between saidgiven point and said pivot pin, when said clamping surfaces are inclosed position.

6. A curb signalling device as defined in claim 4, further characterizedby: said actuating means comprising a link pivotally connected to saidlever; said locking means including a handle pivotally connected to saidlink; said central member having a toothed arcuate portion with aslotted opening centrally located with respect to the center of saidarcuate portion; a pivot pin received in said slotted opening andconnected to said feeler support and to said handle; and a projection onsaid feeler support, engaging said toothed portion of said centralmember when said pivot pin is moved to one end of said slotted opening,and clearing said toothed portion when said pivot pin is moved to theother end of said slotted opening, said actuating means and said lockingmeans cooperating to form an over-center lock to retain said clampingsurfaces in closed position.

7. In a curb signalling device, the combination of a feeler support andclamping means comprising: a central member; first pivot pin meansconnecting said feeler support to one end of said central member; aclamping lever; second pivot pin means connecting said clamping leverintermediate its ends to the other end of said central member; anactuating means; third pivot pin means connecting said actuating meansto said clamping lever; looking means for locking said feeler support ata given pivoted position with respect to said central member; and fourthpivot pin means connecting said locking means to said actuating means,operation of said actuating means simultaneously moving said clampinglever into closed position and actuating said locking means.

8. A curb signalling device according to claim 7 in which said fourthpivot pin means is positioned past a center line drawn between saidfirst and third pivot pin means after operation of said actuating means.

9. A curb signalling device which includes: a clamp member adapted toengage a supporting member; a feeler pivotally connected to said clampmember and having motion restraining means connected thereto; andlocking means connected to said clamp member, operable to cause saidclamp to firmly engage said supporting member, and simultaneously actingto engage said motion restraining means and prevent pivotal movement ofsaid feeler when said clamp is closed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

